(United States - Civil War (1861-1865)) Rare CDV of Civil War Surgeon Dr. Mary Walker, the Only Female Medal of Honor Recipient in the History of the United States. [London]: Elliott & Fry, 55, Baker Street, Portman Square, circa 1866. Albumen photograph measuring 2-5/16" x 3-9/16" on card mount measuring 2-7/16" x 4-1/16", with Elliott & Fry of London imprint to mount recto and verso. The full length standing studio portrait of the surgeon clothed in both dress and trousers, proudly wearing her Medal of Honor; minimal spotting and a couple of smudges for what is a beautiful photograph with excellent clarity and contrast.
Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) attended Syracuse Medical College and received her medical degree from there in1855. She became the second woman to graduate from this college after Elizabeth Blackwell. When the Civil War began in 1861, Walker wanted to join the Union's efforts but was not allowed to because she was a woman. In 1863 her request to practice as a surgeon was finally approved, and she became the first female U.S. Army surgeon as a civilian. For her efforts helping the Union during the Civil War, Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Johnson on November 11, 1865, even though she was a civilian who had never been a commissioned officer in military service. It was Walker's civilian status that caused her Medal to be rescinded in 1917. Walker refused to return the medal and continued to wear it until her death in 1919. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter officially reinstated the award to Walker.
The firm of Elliott & Fry was founded in 1863 by Joseph John Elliott (1835-1903) and Clarence Edmund Fry (1840-1897). Its first premises was at 55 Baker Street in London where they it stayed until 1886. In the early 1940s the studio was bombed and most of the early negatives were destroyed. The National Portrait Gallery in London shows to possess 10,996 portraits associated with the photographers Elliott & Fry, including one portrait of Dr. Mary Walker, though not of the image offered in this listing. The condition of the CDV is 6/10 - Very Good: Moderate or mild condition issues that attract the eye under normal viewing conditions. RARE, and possibly a previously unknown pose of Dr. Mary Walker. # 001203
Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) attended Syracuse Medical College and received her medical degree from there in1855. She became the second woman to graduate from this college after Elizabeth Blackwell. When the Civil War began in 1861, Walker wanted to join the Union's efforts but was not allowed to because she was a woman. In 1863 her request to practice as a surgeon was finally approved, and she became the first female U.S. Army surgeon as a civilian. For her efforts helping the Union during the Civil War, Walker was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Johnson on November 11, 1865, even though she was a civilian who had never been a commissioned officer in military service. It was Walker's civilian status that caused her Medal to be rescinded in 1917. Walker refused to return the medal and continued to wear it until her death in 1919. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter officially reinstated the award to Walker.
The firm of Elliott & Fry was founded in 1863 by Joseph John Elliott (1835-1903) and Clarence Edmund Fry (1840-1897). Its first premises was at 55 Baker Street in London where they it stayed until 1886. In the early 1940s the studio was bombed and most of the early negatives were destroyed. The National Portrait Gallery in London shows to possess 10,996 portraits associated with the photographers Elliott & Fry, including one portrait of Dr. Mary Walker, though not of the image offered in this listing. The condition of the CDV is 6/10 - Very Good: Moderate or mild condition issues that attract the eye under normal viewing conditions. RARE, and possibly a previously unknown pose of Dr. Mary Walker. # 001203